Project Officer, Statistical Cluster Advisor (P3)

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Project Officer, Statistical Cluster Advisor
Statistics
6KEUIS006PA
P3
UNESCO Institute for Statistics,
Regional Advisor Sub-Saharan Africa
Nairobi, Kenya
Internal and External candidates
Project Appointment
US$79,520
7 December 2014
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), in close
coordination with the UNESCO Cluster Office in Nairobi Director, and under the direct supervision of the
UIS Regional Advisor, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the incumbent’s key role is to provide specialized
technical assistance, methodological guidance and develop partnerships/relations to build statistical
capacity thus contributing to the implementation and monitoring of UIS field activities within the
Nairobi Cluster countries. Specifically, s/he will undertake the core activities below:
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Provide strategic/statistical/methodological advice and assistance to national, regional, subregional authorities and/or organizations in UNESCO’s fields of competence with statistical
components.
Liaise regularly including undertaking missions with national teams in statistical/methodological
diagnoses and identification of country needs with an aim to continuous improvement data
quality collected/submitted.
Network with governmental and organizational counterparts on statistical projects/initiatives to
broaden and solidify the UIS’s reputation and involvement in relevant activities.
Support the Nairobi Cluster Office in statistical activities in line with UIS mandate.
S/he will:
1. Advise ministry personnel involved in statistical activities related to education, culture and
communication, literacy, science and technology aimed at improving statistics (approach,
methodology, strategy, etc.). This includes periodic visits to cluster countries, as well as ongoing
communication, project coordination, activity/programme monitoring and evaluation.
2. Analyse/adapt the national teams diagnostic and identification of country statistical needs in
terms of assistance and capacity development needs for effective management and monitoring
of progress towards national, regional and international goals such as WSIS, EFA, MDGs.
3. Help to establish, at the national level, partnerships with other stakeholders in the education
system on data quality.
4. Provide technical assistance to national authorities in the adaptation of UIS methodologies, UIS
standards, ISCED mapping activities and support completion of UIS data collection instruments.
5. Liaise with the personnel of regional statistical projects of the African Union, SADC, COMESA,
EAC and other regional and sub-regional organisations to maintain UIS involvement and coordinate activities.
6. Support the preparation of national / regional seminars and workshops on statistical issues in
UNESCO’s fields of competence by contributing to: participant identification, content agenda
development, documentation and delivery of presentations.
7. Guide the Regional office for Science and Technology Cluster office in statistical aspects in line
with UIS mandate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) with a specialisation in statistics, education
planning, management of statistical information systems or a closely related numeric discipline (such as
demography, economics or mathematics).
WORK EXPERIENCE
At least 4 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in project elaboration and management is
required at the national level in a Government Ministry, of which preferably 2 years involve a UN or
international agency.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
• Ability to collect, synthesise and analyse information from various sources.
• Competence in presenting technical information to multiple audiences.
• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word, MS Outlook and advanced skills in MS
Excel.
• Statistical programming skills.
• Time management and flexibility in handling uncertainty and ambiguity related to professional or
other environment.
• Ability to work in culturally sensitive contexts and achieve results under sometimes challenging
circumstances.
• Strong skills in drafting reports, presentations and communications with partners.
• A good sense of dialogue and related skills to create consensus.
LANGUAGES
• Excellent knowledge of English or French with very good working knowledge of the other. An
excellent knowledge of both languages would be strongly desirable.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
• Training in project management would be an asset.
WORK EXPERIENCE
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Experience with UNESCO’s operations and administrative procedures would be an asset.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge of SQL and/or statistical software such as STATA, SAS would be good asset.
• A good knowledge of UIS data (structure and process) will be an asset.
LANGUAGES
• Working knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish would be an asset.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic
salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange
rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for
dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details on the ICSC Web site
(http://icsc.un.org).
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a full CV (using the form at https://en.unesco.org/careers/project_appointments),
showing nationality, date/place of birth and gender, a letter of motivation, and a list of three references,
including at least one current or former direct supervisor, that may be contacted, to:
uis.recruitment@unesco.org, by 7 December 2014 (Midnight, Montreal time). Kindly use as email
subject header: FAMILY NAME First Name PA006 NBO (e.g. SMITH Roberta PA006 NBO).